Bowers & Wilkins PI7 Review | (How Much) Better Than The PI5?

I tested and reviewed the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 not long ago but I got my hands on a pair of PI7s as well which is the more expensive and more feature-packed brother of the PI5. This time I will not only test the PI7 thoroughly but I will also compare the two models, so if you haven't seen my PI5 review yet, then I suggest you go watch it first as there are a lot of similarities between the two buds and in this video I’m going to focus mostly on the differences and on the extra features you get with the PI7...
Watch the video to find out more!
0:00 Intro
0:39 Design & Fit
2:33 Battery Life
3:13 Connection
5:27 Mic Quality
6:19 Controls & App
6:57 Active Noise Cancelling
8:53 Sound Quality
10:44 Conclusion
13:23 Outro
Disclosure: This video is not sponsored, I bought both the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 and the PI7 true wireless ANC earbuds with my own money for this review. But these following links are affiliate links which means that I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.
You can buy the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 true wireless earbuds:
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3xRAe5d
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3fQ7nIo
🇩🇪 amzn.to/3uNMhi5
You can buy the Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds:
🇺🇸 amzn.to/34nLGJo
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2TucPIx
🇩🇪 amzn.to/3hX2YFf
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 specifications:
www.bowerswilkins.com/eu-en/h...
Bowers & Wilkins PI5 specifications:
www.bowerswilkins.com/eu-en/h...
Watch my Bowers & Wilkins PI5 review here: • Bowers & Wilkins PI5 |...
Follow me on Instagram @andystechtone
Thanks for watching!

[@wallybeep]

András, once again, to me, it is this simple: your reviews are the most comprehensive and well-steuctured as any out there. Indeed, I see no reason to look further for this information as you do such a terrific job. Tried for the SECOND time the Bose QC yesterday, and as much as I like their anc, I just can't seem to be comfortable with their size. Now to go back and look and one or two reviews you've done and check those out more fully. Thanks for this and hope you have a terrific weekend!

[@AndysTechTone]

Too kind as always 😎 My weekend's been great so far and I don't see why it would change... hope you enjoy yours too! See you next week🎧

[@cavaleer]

Now THIS is what you call a review! Everyone else just describes their experiences with the product. Thank you and I've never found a channel more worthy of a subscription with all alerts ON. And I agree, one should love their gadgets. haha

[@AndysTechTone]

I appreciate your feedback, thanks 👍 Welcome to the fam 😊

[@Der_Boratcho]

Excellent comparison between both units. I'm glad to find your channel, which safes me to spent a lot of money into PI7. Many thanks for your review !!!

[@AndysTechTone]

Glad you have found the channel too 👍 thanks for watching 😎

[@parall4x]

amazing content and polished production as always. the lengths you go to to include specific video clips in your production such as using the actual app or running with the buds are appreciated. same goes for additional inclusions like splicing in your vocals over the pi7’s mic. thanks again, appreciate it

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks for your lovely feedback Andy 👍

[@iliamohito]

Thanks for that detailed review, was waiting for a comparison between thees two, wish you luck)

[@AndysTechTone]

Thank you 👍

[@pumpkinspiced]

Very comprehensive review. I found it very helpful. New subscriber here! Excellent job!

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks and welcome on board 👍

[@luislopez1800]

Sir, your video review and very detailed and simple explanations of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 and PI5 are far superior from what I've become a custom too within KZbin tutorials in regards to electronics. Your video was precise and well edited yet extremely easy for me to understand and wrap my head around your personal experience review. Job very well done and I thank you greatly. I pray you and your family have a wonderfully Blessed New Year. Thank you very much.

[@AndysTechTone]

Thank you Brian for your kind words. I wish you too a Happy New Year 🥳

[@antmanstead]

this guy makes probably the best review videos of any kind i've ever seen.

[@AndysTechTone]

Glad you think so 😊

[@antmanstead]

@@AndysTechTone I copped the Bose quiet comfort thanks to your reviews of my top 4 choices thanks mate

[@davidmarlow481]

Best Review I have seen on any product, fantastic

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks David, glad you liked it 👍

[@jamesmiller4487]

I only recently discovered your channel, and I am glad I did. I just hope the PI7 come back in stock as I have not been able to find it available anywhere. I guess with the Sony XM4 coming out maybe I will wait for a comparison! Once again, awesome channel, and thank you.

[@AndysTechTone]

I can't wait to compare the two either 👍

[@user-yz6xc1hz3k]

hi，is Sony xm4 not already come out for years? I already had one,

[@jamesmiller4487]

@@user-yz6xc1hz3k I believe you are thinking of the over ears Sony WH-1000XM4. This video covers IEMs and thus I am referring to the follow on iem from Sony, the WF-1000XM4. These should be released in the next few days.

[@AndysTechTone]

@余文达 the WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones have been out there for almost a year now but the WF-1000XM4 in-ear buds are just about to be announced. Just saw James explaining the same in his comment...

[@A.G.Y]

Let me give you a VERY useful hint in order to extend the battery HEAVILY. These ear buds are using the master & slave technology. Meaning, the earbud you take out first, serves as the master and consumes much more energy than the second one. And here it comes. When you reached a battery level of approximately 65%, put them back into the case for a moment, so they can disconnect. Then take out the one with the HIGHER battery level first. So now this one serves as master and compensates the high energy loss of the first one. Like that, I reached with ANC activated, a run time of more than 6 hours with a single charge. ANC becomes less needed, it you use memory foam tips. That also brings some extra time. The earbuds alone are outstanding, regarding the sound quality. But since the case provides a USB-C to 3.5 mm jack, I use them together with a DAC (ifi gryphon) and that makes them just MIND-BLOWING! 😁 In that case, I don't even miss the EQ in the B&W app. Anyways, I hope the info was useful to you. Best regards from Serbia😉👍

[@jaycheng4050]

Love your review man! But I have a few questions. When you use the voice assistant, do you get inconsistencies on the earbuds. For example, when I use Siri, only the right ear makes the Siri sound. Also, when you have wear sensory on, and you take one bud off your ear, does the music stop slower for the right earbud. As for the left ear bud, it almost stops instantly

[@AndysTechTone]

The firmware is not the most stable for sure, sometimes I struggle with switching ANC on and off but I have not experienced the issues you mentioned

[@vlam8656]

Hi. Great review. I am debating between this and the E8 sport. What is your input in this comparison? I will mostly wear them for night time listening. Thanks in advance.

[@AndysTechTone]

If you don't need the ANC and other extra tech in the PI7 you can go with the E8

[@WilliamWorford]

Hi András. I just wanted to say great review. That comparison between the PI5 and PI7 is what I really was looking for. If I had chose I would go with the PI7. But I am passing on both because the battery life on both the PI5 and PI7 is mediocre. I was wondering could you compare the PI7s and the Devialet Gemini(s)? The Gemini's were pulled off the market earlier this year by the manufacture over software issues. However, they were just recently re-released and are available from the same retailers that they were released to. All the reviews of the new batch of Gemini (s) have been great. Thanks again for the great review. William

[@AndysTechTone]

Not a bad idea, I'll see if I can get them soon 👍

[@gohca88]

really detailed review! how do these compare to the mw08? especially for sound

[@AndysTechTone]

The MW08 are kind of warm, these are more neutral and a bit more open sounding in my opinion

[@SireOblivion]

Excellent review, saved me $400 since I was thinking about replacing my Airpods Pros for the PI7s. No need to now. Also the accent sounds Hungarian, curious if I'm correct.

[@AndysTechTone]

How about every time I save someone money I get a commission 😁 Joking aside, yeah, $400 is steep and probably not worth spending that much money when you can get great sounding ones for half the price. Also, you're correct about the accent 😎

[@SmartFool24]

Great thorough review. New subscriber here but I have to say, I feel like you're trying not to blink for you in-studio clips. Maybe you got super moist eyes but please don't feel like you can't blink a little more for us lol

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks, I've already signed up for an advanced blinking course. Hope that helps... 😳😉

[@SmartFool24]

@@AndysTechTone lol. I don’t think I would have normally noticed but i felt like I wasn’t blinking because you were blinking lol Anyways good job! Look forward to more content from you.

[@alphazock4983]

do the headphones tolerate sweat? Because I'm interested in whether you can do sports with them

[@andyyoung7713]

Hi Andy, great video comparison and great detail. I can get the pi5 for €110 do you think that’s worth it? Thanks Andy

[@AndysTechTone]

Sure thing, if you like the design and the slightly darker sound signature, go for it

[@pablom6132]

thanks for the outstanding review. in your personal opinion, if you have to choose 1 and only 1 earbuds only for the audio quality which would you choose to take with you to a desert island?: - kef mu3 - sh mommentum 2 - M&D mw08 - B&W Pi7 - sony x4

[@AndysTechTone]

That's not fair...only one pair of earbuds on a desert island? I'd take the Kef Mu3...

[@pablom6132]

@@AndysTechTone thank you 😉 for taking (subjetive) part. hard decision anyway but very helpful

[@fkwok4830]

I am not carrying the case around, just bringing the earpiece to work (30mins each way) by train, but the battery would be all drained on my way back home. Given they can’t be turned off, any way to resolve the issue?

[@AndysTechTone]

How about bringing the case with you? It’s not that big at all.

[@Jeff-qg6li]

Its better sound on PI7 or sennheiser MTW2 pls?

[@a7x286]

Any thoughts on how close pi7 comes to px7 sound quality wise?

[@AndysTechTone]

Never tried the PX7 unfortunately...

[@andrejstemmle606]

Hallo Mainly Manly Stuff Producer just recently I‘ve discovered Your channel. And I‘m very pleased with how You review the different TWS earbuds and headphones. About a year ago I‘ve bought the "Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro" with which I‘m pretty content, exept for the loose stay in my ear (I‘m Single Side Deaf) Now I‘ve ordered the Sony WF-1000xm4, what do You think about these? Greetings from Helvetia 🇨🇭

[@AndysTechTone]

I've ordered the XM4 myself. I'll let you know what I think as soon as I have them 😎

[@andrejstemmle606]

Ohh, that’s very good that in the near future, we‘ve got the same buds. I turn 56 this year, but never tried ANC headphones or earbuds. Last question, may I ask about Your name?

[@AndysTechTone]

@@andrejstemmle606 My name is Andy or András originally. Same as yours basically 😎

[@andrejstemmle606]

Upps, I‘M VERY SORRY ABOUT THAT, after I‘ve read Your answer, I remembered that You‘ve already told me Your name in my last comment. Thank You very much for giving me some slack and patience

[@maximm787]

In the end ... What is your choice for the best sound? KEF MU? MW08? What are your favorites?

[@AndysTechTone]

Maybe the MW08 if I had to pick one. Technically speaking the Kef are not that good yet I love to listen to those buds too...

[@michaelholcombe3336]

what are the buds that you prefer over the PI7? i just returned defective PI7. just read that you like the mw08? you prefer the mw08 over the PI7? thanks for your review. wish i had seen it before buying the PI7

[@michaelholcombe3336]

kef mu3?

[@AndysTechTone]

That’s a long list. Apple Airpods Pro (2nd gen), Sennheiser MTW3 or even the Bose QC II just to mention a few

[@AndysTechTone]

@@michaelholcombe3336 maybe that too unless extra features matter to you

[@michaelholcombe3336]

wow. you have done a lot of comparisons. i’ll wait for your new sony review and make a decision. disappointed with the PI7. B&W have a great reputation with their loud speakers and i had hoped that they would achieve something equivalent with the earbud. disappointing.

[@AndysTechTone]

@@michaelholcombe3336 their headphones and speakers are great indeed but the wireless in-ear monitor market has proven to be a tough one for them

[@sedricklawrence5836]

Thanks for the video, the $400 price tag isn't worth it to me. But I am curious as to how good the new Sony X4's are gonna be. Thanks again, I love your reviews.

[@AndysTechTone]

Yeah, I can't wait for the XM4s too. We'll probably see it next week though

[@SpiritofPoison]

The B&O definitely have better sound quality but the X4s are very solid earbuds.

[@AndysTechTone]

@@SpiritofPoison Can't wait to compare them all 😎

[@MarceloLopezJr]

They're not $400 anymore....try to find them for less than $600.

[@SpiritofPoison]

@@MarceloLopezJr www.bowerswilkins.com/headphones/pi7 right here lol $399

[@oneken52]

so......which one is the best in terns of sound quality in your opinion ?

[@AndysTechTone]

PI7

[@JNiNjA3]

What are the best earbuds you've ever tested in comparison to these pi7s?

[@AndysTechTone]

If I had to choose I'd say either the Apple Airpods Pro 2nd gen or the Sennheiser MTW3

[@MalikMalik-qv3hb]

If I’m using p7s on pc should I use the retransmission for less lag or connect to pc Bluetooth my pc supports Bluetooth

[@AndysTechTone]

Depends on the PC and the Bluetooth chip in it. For example my 2017 Macbook Pro has Bluetooth, of course, but its a version 4.2 or something like that so I'm better off using the retransmisson feature if I want lag free sound

[@MalikMalik-qv3hb]

It supports Bluetooth 5.0 so which is less lag?

[@AndysTechTone]

It varies from device to device so I cannot tell but 5.0 should be okay.

[@MalikMalik-qv3hb]

Thanks for replying to a 3 month old video so quickly. Best tech channel

[@AndysTechTone]

@@MalikMalik-qv3hb No worries at all 😊

[@lukajednak7516]

Its better sound on B&W E8 sport or this PI7?

[@AndysTechTone]

I'd give the edge to the PI7 but I cannot compare the two head to head now

[@lawlerzwtf]

I guess I'm skipping this one. I was hoping Bowers and Wilkins would have something really good considering the price. Can you please review the new Sony WF-1000XM4?

[@AndysTechTone]

Just pre-ordered them. I'll do a review as soon as I can

[@jeremyabramson4343]

Does aptx adaptive sound better than aptx HD?

[@AndysTechTone]

I don't think so

[@nino_kO1]

Are this ones better than new wf- 1000xm4?

[@AndysTechTone]

Haven't tested the new Sony buds yet so how would I know? But I've ordered them already, so comparison is coming at some stage...

[@nino_kO1]

@@AndysTechTone oh ok, i wait for your review for sure.. subed :).. liked the video and the way you explain things

[@AndysTechTone]

@@nino_kO1 Thanks Nino, I appreciate it 👍

[@cooluser23]

How about to the Sony XM3/XM4?

[@AndysTechTone]

You'll see tomorrow...

[@royhowonChung]

How about compare with devialet gemini ? Not much review compare with these two wireless earbuds

[@AndysTechTone]

Haven't thought of that yet, but I'll look into it 👍

[@BoyExotiic]

Airpods pro or the B&W PI7 can someone help me?

[@AndysTechTone]

Why these two if you don't mind me asking?

[@starboy5888]

That’s like comparing a Toyata Prius to the BMW M5 Competition and asking which sounds and performs better

[@michaelholcombe3336]

wow. you have done a lot of comparisons. i’ll wait for your new sony review and make a decision. had to return defective PI7. B&W have a great reputation with their loud speakers and i had hoped that they would achieve something equivalent with the earbud. disappointing.

[@android-ud2nf]

I like my pi7’s but I’ll say they are not comfortable. They dig into my ears and after a while they hurt.... and yes they do move when my ears get a tiny bit of sweat in my ears.

[@rolins3279]

Why am I convinced that $60 Soundpeat H1s will do much the same with the right EQ with the added bonus of much better battery life🤔?

[@AndysTechTone]

The H1s are on my list too, so we'll see...

[@rolins3279]

@@AndysTechTone Have you heard of the new Edifier Neo Buds Pro certified for Hi-Res?

[@AndysTechTone]

@@rolins3279 Yeah, but not sure if those are available yet

[@rolins3279]

@@AndysTechTone Ok ok

[@rolins3279]

@@AndysTechTone By the way, why nobody (youtuber sound specialist) does not talk about 1More ANC anymore ? Yet they were considered the best active noise reduction earbuds, THX certified and others ... Why ?

[@PeterbFree]

I don't know. If they have the best sound, they are the best earbuds. For me, it's that simple.

[@AndysTechTone]

That would make an extremely short review for sure 🤔

[@vilatbounthong9446]

For $400 rather wait for sony WF-1000XM4 $340

[@AndysTechTone]

Another few days maybe...

[@michaelholcombe3336]

had to return the PI7. would not charge even after factory reset. B&W promptly sent return label and will send replacement within 10 days after receiving the returned buds. not impressed. the buds are made in china

[@MarceloLopezJr]

Not for $600.....

[@b-miner712]

Creap

[@maciejbwawa]

Hi! You are doing a great reviews. 👏 Thanks! and I especially like earbuds *comparing*. 😉

[@AndysTechTone]

Thanks Maciej 👍